On the play of his young players:
"Well again, some critical downs offensively where we need to score touchdowns. You can't do that against a good team in Utah State. Now the next learning phase is `How do we handle 17 up?' Coming out, the first possession in this second half will be absolutely critical."

On the performance of his defensive unit:
"We've been able to apply pressure to the quarterback and we've been able to take away the run and make them a little one-dimensional."

Tennessee Tidbits

Today's attendance was 102,445, marking the largest home opener crowd since 2007 vs. Southern Miss (106,311).

VFL Legend of the Game

VFL John Henderson (1999-2001) was honored in a pregame ceremony before the Utah State-Tennessee game as Vols Legend of the Game.

Henderson racked up 165 tackles and 20.5 sacks during his UT career.

He was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award as a senior, despite missing two games with injuries.

He was a ninth overall selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2002 NFL Draft.

Henderson recorded 489 tackles and 29 sacks in a 10-season NFL career with the Jaguars and Oakland Raiders. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006.

#2 Pig Howard ran for an 8 yard TD in the first quarter, marking his first career rushing TD.

#85 Brendan Downs caught a 12-yard TD pass from Worley, marking his 4th-career TD catch. Last season, Downs' first TD catch was also in the season opener, a 3-yard reception vs. Austin Peay.

Special Teams

#43 Matt Darr made a 53-yard punt on the Vols first possession. The 53-yard punt ties his career high (2x, 11/12/11 vs. ARK; 9/29/12 vs. UGA). Darr made 5 punts in the first half, including 4 inside the 20 yard line and one of 50-plus yards.

#25 Aaron Medley made his first-career PAT on the Vols first score in the first quarter. At the half, Medley was 2-2 on PATs and 1-2 on field goal attempts including a 36 yarder made in the second half.

Through the first half against the Aggies, the Vols completed passes to nine different players. UT also completed passes to nine players on two occasions last year, vs. South Alabama and vs. Austin Peay.

In 2013, UT completed passes to 15 different players all year.

#25 Josh Smith had two catches for 40 yards to lead the team in yardage at the half.

#1 Jalen Hurd led the Vols in rushing with 10 carries for 26 yards at the half.